Game #23 – Ducks vs. Hawks: Q&A With Jen Neale

Our friend Jen has been our Ducks outlet for more years than she’d probably like to remember. She’s a former contributor to Puck Daddy as well, but is much more pleasant than Wyshynsky. You can follow her on Twitter @MsJenNeale.

Been something of a rough start for the Ducks, but Getzlaf, Kesler, Vatanen, Fowler, and Eaves have all missed some or a lot of time. Are the injuries solely to blame or is there more to it?

I don’t like the ‘injury excuse’ because every team goes through it, but seriously, it’s like The Walking Dead around here. However, I’m surprised the Ducks aren’t worse than they are.

As much as I am loathed to admit it, John Gibson has played pretty well more often than not. He’s facing upwards of 30+ shots a night, and kept them in it when they really shouldn’t be.

Corey Perry – four goals. Coming off a year where he only netted 19, is there some fear this is the great descent for him?

What I found fascinating is coming into camp Perry refused to answer any questions about last season. Maybe being a new dad threw him off his game (a la Getzlaf when he had his first kiddo).

With Getzlaf out of the lineup, Perry has taken over as the guy who passes all the time. He has 13 assists, but honestly, I’d rather see him score goals.

I am afraid this might be the beginning of a descent. Carlyle won’t even play him in OT because he’s so slow and his puck possession is terrible.

Because of all the injuries, the Ducks have had to lean on a fair amount of kids and call-ups. Are any of them worth paying attention to long-term?

I really like Kalle Kossila. He was just recalled with the injury to Rakell. He has the potential to be as dynamic as the player he’s replacing. The problem is he makes one mistake and Carlyle puts him on the fourth line playing three minutes a night. He scored a “Michigander” goal for the Gulls last year. Google that shit.

The other kid to watch is Jaycob “Liquid Hot” Megna – if you want to feel old, he didn’t get that reference at first. He’s back in San Diego (for now), but he’ll eventually be another strong blueliner for the club.

The Ducks have only 10 skaters signed for next year. If they don’t turn things around somewhat soon, is there a sense they might start shipping off some of their impending free agents?

To be honest, I’m not sure. Bob Murray’s decisions from his perch atop Mount Doom remain secret. Although we’re reaching the time near the Christmas break where he rips the team a new one and they wake up. It’s tradition. Not sure how he can temper that message given the vets he usually rips are all injured.

My main concern is the contract of Andrew Cogliano. He has yet to sign a new deal, and it doesn’t sound like one is close. I can’t emphasize enough how important he is to the team. That being said, he’ll probably be on the Hawks by the end of the season (ohpleaseohpleaseohplease – ED).

Given that situation, do the Ducks feel that this might be the last go with this particular group?

I believe they have two more years as a group before they’re completely irrelevant.